Lewis Heywood-Oriogun’s early goal proved to be enough as Holmesdale won at Stansfeld in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division.

Billy Shinners made three changes to the Stansfeld team who lost at home to Erith and Belvedere seven days earlier. Callum Keeble and Anthony Musoke were brought into the Holmesdale team by manager Andy Constable following their one-all draw with Punjab United on Saturday.

Keeble had the first opportunity when meeting Nathan Palmer’s low cross but he knocked it wide of the near post. However, the hosts’ let-off was short lived when they went behind in the eleventh minute. Palmer delivered a corner and Heywood-Oriogun met it with a powerful header that gave goalkeeper Cemal Osman no chance.

Malachi Hudson created the next opportunity with a cross that Heywood-Oriogun knocked down to Keeble and his shot was turned round the post by an excellent Osman save.

At the other end Adam Wallis fired well wide after George Goodwin’s effort was blocked into his path, then Oliver Andrews shot from distance, and although it took a deflection, Charlie Wealands was not unduly troubled when making the save.

Osman got down well to save from Kevin Dance before making an easier one from a long range Keeble attempt. Ali Mansaray then headed over from a Keeble corner and Osman was again called into action with another good save from a low William Bell shot.

Wealands made the last save of the half when keeping out Wallis’ deflected shot.

Early in the second period, the Dalers came close to extending their lead when Keeble’s shot came back out off the crossbar and Heywood-Oriogun’s follow up was cleared off the line by Teddy Green.

Stef Kempton then spotted Wealands off his line and tried his luck from forty-five yards but it sailed just over before Bell wasn’t closed down and went on a long run for the visitors before blasting well wide.

Wallis headed wide when meeting Green’s long throw and the Stansfeld midfielder was again unable to hit the target after Khemani Aiyanyo squared to him. 

Kayden Turner-Bernard shot wide for Holmesdale before an Aiyanyo cross almost caught out a back-pedalling Wealands but it hit the bar and went over.

Further long range efforts from Stansfeld’s Jack Calvert and Aiyanyo flew wide in stoppage time before the Dalers saw out the remaining few minutes. 

Victory for Holmesdale moved them up to second in the league table while the hosts remain bottom, four points adrift of safety.

Stansfeld: Osman, McCormack, Kempton, Jeffrey, Green; Andrews (Butler 89); Fanson (Calvert 62), Wallis (Plant 85), Aiyanyo; Goodwin. Subs not used: Shepherd, English.

Goal scorers: None

Yellow cards: Andrews (30 Accumulation), Wallis (39 foul)

Holmesdale: Wealands; Jeffery, Mansaray, Bell (Murray 90+4). Musoke; Dance, Clark (Medhurst 79); Hudson (Turner-Bernard 72), Keeble (McGovern 68), Palmer (Elliott 89); Heywood-Oriugun. Unused subs: None.

Goalscorer: Heywood-Oriugun (19)

Yellow cards: Dance (63 delay of restart, Mansaray (65 foul)

Referee: Dylan Wood

Assistant Referees: Jerry Onyeka Nnamani and Kenechukwu Aghasili

Attendance: 98